Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist, Vol. 20: Evil vs. Evil

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist #20

by Kazuki Takahashi

The quarterfinals are over, but not without casualties: Mai and Rishid lie in the infirmary, and if Marik isn't defeated in 24 hours, Mai will never wake up! As the airship speeds toward its mysterious destination, Bakura and Marik end their sinister alliance and fight a vicious duel over the Millennium Rod. But who is Bakura's unexpected ally?! Meanwhile, the four semifinalists get ready for what could be the last duels of their lives. And for Jonouchi, it's his last chance to save Mai from Marik's deadly power...

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction, Shonen, Young Adult, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2002

About the author

Takahashi (高橋和希) started as a mangaka in 1982. His first work was Tokiō no Tsuma (闘輝王の鷹), published in 1990. One of his earliest works was Tennenshokudanji Buray (天然色男児BURAY), which lasted for two volumes and was published from 1991 to 1992. Takahashi did not find success until 1996 when he created Yu-Gi-Oh!

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is evil Bakura so cool!?...Like, man. He really does everything on his own terms and even dies willingly. I honestly wish I could go out like that. Bakura shows up at any time in Battle City and steals the show.

It must be the hair. Besides Yugi, who arguably started the unbelievably POWOW hair style, all the yami characters have DBZ-esque hair flair that give us a rating of how powerful they are by how long, or crazy, their hair is. I like it LOL.

The latter half of the volume features Joey in the duel so it's not worth mentioning except for this blurb.

[Leandro Escobar-herrera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things slow down right before the semi-finals, which was a semi-bad decision.

There is nothing inherently bad about this volume, but it is lacking. It is lacking some stakes, some excitement. The series biggest issue at the moment is its predictability. We know who will win in the Marik vs Bakura fights before it even begins. But there was a brief moment in this volume, that made one doubt that. That made one thing that cunningness and strategy would prevail, but no, the God has more tricks up its sleeve.

The fight for who will play against each other in the semi-finals is unnecessary, but really fun. Showing that Yu-Gi-Oh shines when it is far removed from its plot.

The series removes its stakes by having the plot being too predictable, and it removes it strength by not relying enough on revenge and strategy. But hey, at least it was fun read. And a fun read is never a bad read.

[Joseph B · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some may find volume 20 to be a full stop in the finals storyline; I see it as a brief palate cleanser before the final act. We get multiple chapters dedicated to a Yami Marik vs Yami Bakura duel. I do have a personal enjoyment of stories where two bad guys duke it out so this was perfect for me. Then we move into a four-way duel where the order of combatants is decided for the finals. I give this volume 4.5 stars out of 5.

[Roselyn Blonger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bueno, ya era hora de un poco de tranquilidad. Me gustó el duelo de Bakura y Marik, pero lo sentí un poquito apresurado, como si le faltara algo para estar a la altura de los demás. Por suerte, todo lo demás lo súper compensó y la escena puzzleshipping cautivó mi corazón. Amo a Yugi y Yami.

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Más relleno, del necesario pero aburrido.

En cierta forma se nerfea un poco a Bakura y luego a Marik, pero igual se siente que es el relleno en lo que trabajan los verdaderos duelos y cómo acabaría la cosa.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the mini game to determine who fights in te semifinals!

[Lory Blanco (areaderheart) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Kurtis Burkhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always loved yugioh, it was my favorite show as a kid and my first manga! Love all the great characters and the Egypt story line it has😻👌😁❤️

[Inge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the fight of Malik vs Bakura but now it feels like dragging...
Jonouchi wants to save Mai and is willing to risk everything for it.

[Jaden John · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Burberi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need me some more Marik VS Bakura action. I ship these two so hard.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marik’s monsters are becoming more and more Lovecraftian. The evil part of his soul has taken over his body and mind, along with his deck.

[Petra Jayne Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! Yami Bakura vs. Yami Marik! Love this duel!🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Kassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know how I would like this series when I first started reading it, but I have to say, I am loving the Yu-Gi-Oh manga very much. The characters are so cool, and I am loving all the character development.

Bakura's soul being lost is kinda crazy and the fact that the good side of Marik's soul tethered itself to Anzu is kinda silly.

This new stage for the Semi-finals is pretty cool, and the rubble is interesting too. Seto's dad is definitely a dick tho I don't like him.

This 4 - person duel to determine the matches for the Semi-finals is pretty neat, I kinda like the 4 - person duels it's especially interesting since there is no teams and it's 4 against 4, insane.

[Daniel Pappas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love ridiculous contrived duels

This issue is all about the weird ones babayyyy. I love the tower climb duel. Truly can’t get enough of it. In fact I think all duels are better if they have a ridiculous overarching mechanic.

[Sarah Maddaford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed on previous volumes Yu-Gi-Oh! Volumes 1-4 and Duelist Volumes 1-5 as well as the final volume

[Emma L.B.]

- Will re-read before I put a review -

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A four way duel, and a duel that's pretty much bad guy vs. bad guy; it's intense, but it's fun!

[Dylan Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved how at the finals yugi and the others all wanted to battle each other!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. This was another one that was part of my rapid fire to finish the series. So, the details of this particular volume are rather fuzzy. After Ichizu's defeat from Kaiba, she elaborates more on the Tomb Guardians and why Marik created an evil alter ego. It was a well-thought out bakstory and creepy to boot. The true meat of this volume was Bakura vs. Marik. The alliance has been broken and they're ready to reap their chosen rewards. It was a dark and scary Shadow Game with the spirit of "good Marik" whispering the secrets of Ra to Bakura. However, evil!Marik pulls out a third secret ability and crushes Bakura to the Shadow Realm with a vow that he'll be back.
To decide who goes the Final Round of the Tournament, there is a four-way duel to see who will face who. Of course, everyone is gunning to face Yugi...except Jonouchi. He wants to make good on his promise of revenge for Mai. Of course, Kaiba and Yugi are paired off and then Jonouchi will face off against Evil!Marik. A perfect setup for the final stretch of the series.